Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37947, Joshua Fry, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Fry, Joshua
S 37,947
CONTENTS

26716
26/110
Kentucky
Washington
of Garardsville in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the company commanded by Captain ... of the ... commanded by Colonel ... in the ... line for 2 mts & 21 days ... 3 1/2 mts ...
Inscribed on the Roll of ... at the rate of ... Dollars ... Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the ... day of ... 1834 and ...
Arrears to the 4th of March ... 76.65 Semi-ann. allowance ending ... 11.77 $82.42
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by ... Clerk, Book ... Vol. ... Page ...
Handwritten vertical text: List of ...

State of Kentucky to wit Garrard County
On the 21 st day of January 1832 personally appeared, in open court before the county court of Garrard County now sitting, Joshua Fry a resident of the said county in the state of Kentucky, aged seventy three years, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7 th of June 1832, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as here in stated. In the summer or fall of the year 1779 according to the best of my his recollection, this applicant being a student of William & Mary college in Williamsburg (Virginia) from Albemarle county in that state entered the service of the United States as a volunteer in the militia of Virginia under Capt. William Nelson and William Short now of Philadelphia lieutenant, was marched from Williamsburg to Hampton, and there placed under the command of Colo. Thos. Marshall a regular officer in the Virginia line, he remained in service so long as the British fleet remained in Hampton road. Soon after it left the road this applicant was discharged
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discharged. He does not recollect the precise time he was in service on this occasion, but supposes, to reckon from the day of departure from Williamsburg to the day of his return thence (the distance to Hampton being about thirty six miles) not much less than a month was spent. The detachment had no conflict with the enemy the British not having landed on the north side of James river, but did much mischief on the south with land forces under general Matthews if he mistakes not. He knows of no one now living except Mr. William Short above mentioned who was on this expedition.
As soon as it was known to this officer that Arnold had invaded the state and actually reached Richmond its capital he turned out as a volunteer finding his own horse of a and joined a company of volunteer horse from Louisa & Hanover counties under the command of Capt. William B. Callis. From Richmond he was marched to Williamsburg and thence to Hampton and served in the company as vidette to the American army which lay at Williamsburg under general Wadsworth during the winter & spring until the latter end of April 1781. The British fleet lay in Hampton road and Elizabeth river and their army occupied Norfolk and Portsmouth during this time. There was no fighting of importance, the company to which he belonged was employed principally in patrolling the country about Hampton. On one occasion a part of the company took a small trading vessel that had run aground a little above Hampton. On another occasion the enemy under Col. Dundas made a movement against

Col. Charles Gohney who was stationed at the halfway house between York & Hampton the movement failed by the retreat of Gohney the night preceding in the direction of York & Dundas retreated to his shipping at Newport News, our boots being on his rear & were drawn into an ambuscade but escaped without loss - Dundas was met on his retreat by Col. Malory and a few Militia of Elizabeth city county, who were quickly dispersed the Col & his nephew being killed & some others wounded. In the early part of September following this affair a private soldier joined a company of Albemarle militia under Capt. Benjamin Harris, marched to Williamsburg one hundred and forty five or fifty miles to the main Army under General Washington preparing to lay siege to Cornwallis then fortified in York town, & continued there with until the surrender of the British army. After the capitulation this affair marched to Nolen's ferry on the Potomac with a division of the surrendering Army destined for Frederick- town in Maryland. This division of the British army was received on the northern bank of the river by the Maryland militia & the guard from York, discharged. This affair reached his home in Albemarle about the middle of November having been delayed a day or two on his way by attendance on his sick Captain. At Williamsburg he was promoted from the ranks to a lieutenancy in which capacity he served during the siege & march to Potomac. Col. Col. Richerson commanded the regiment and General Lawson the brigade to which Capt. Harris's company was attached.

 of the estate My brother, William A. Fry joined Capt. Callis's corps from the ranks of the Infantry but at what period I do not now recollect he also served at the siege of York but did not, owing I believe to sickness, escape the prisoners to the Potomac. This affidavit has no documentary evidence of his several services or discharges, he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state or if on any on that of the state of Virginia. The time of service as stated above may be thus computed three weeks for the tour from Williamsburg, three and a half months in that under Callis & two months in the one that ended at the delivery of the prisoners on the bank of the Potomac forming in the aggregate rather more than six months.
Joshua Fry
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year afore said =
Mrs. Kennicott - N. Cady
residing in Savannah City
and Daniel Abramson residing in the same hereby certify that  you are well acquainted with Joshua Fry who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
W. Ell Cady
Daniel Abramson

Joshua Fry Ken
e. j. R.
Arms.
m. d. 3 1/2 3.15 pr. Cav. 2 1/2 2.21 " Inf.
$14.58 8.97 $23.55
Hon. R. P. Setchell Present A

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
August 6, 1833
Sir:  The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Joshua Fry
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1779 about 1 — — Pt. Capt W. Nelson 73 Traditions   1781 not stated — — Pt. Lt Col Marshall 74   1781 not stated — — Com Capt O'Callahan   1781 not stated — — Pt. Capt Harris  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____, A. D. 18____, personally appeared (a) before me, _____ A B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?  { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

October 9, 1939
Honorable A. C. Schiffler House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
BA-1/8013 Joshua Fry, S.37947
My dear Mr. Schiffler:
Reference is made to your letter of October 7, 1939, requesting information relative to Joshua Fry who served in the Revolutionary War as an officer in the Continental Army.
The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, S.37947, based on the military service of the only Joshua Fry that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
The date and place of birth of Joshua Fry and the names of his parents are not shown.
While a student at William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia, Joshua Fry volunteered in the summer or fall of 1779, when the British fleet lay in Hampton Roads, and served a little less than a month as private in Captain William Nelson's company in Colonel Thomas Marshall's Virginia regiment. He again volunteered at the time of Arnold's invasion of Virginia, served three months as vidette in Captain William O. Callis' Virginia company and was discharged in April, 1781. He enlisted early in September, 1781, served as private in Captain Benjamin Harris' company in Colonel Holt Richardson's Virginia regiment, was promoted to lieutenant and served in that capacity at the siege of Yorktown, length of this service two months. During service he lived in Albemarle County, Virginia.
Joshua Fry was allowed pension on his application executed January 21, 1833, at which time he was aged seventy-three years and resided in Garrard County, Kentucky.

William A. Fry, brother of Joshua Fry, also served in the Revolutionary War. The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the family of Joshua Fry.
The date of last payment of pension of Joshua Fry, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of soldier's death may be obtained by addressing the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., giving the following data:
Joshua Fry, Certificate #26715, issued May 6, 1834, rate $23.55 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Kentucky Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1 Nashville, Tenn.
37 947 INVALID. Rev
Nov. 11-190 Mrs Chas. A. Wall
File No. 37 947
1919 July 9 Hist. to Mrs. Flora B. Steele
1931- Feb. 12- Hist to Mrs H. A. Clay. Ed
Joshua Henry Viv. Rev. Mrs
1939. Oct 9. Hist. to Mrs. C. Schiffler. mcl
Act: 18 m March 18 m
Index: Vol. 2, Page 45
[Arrangement of 1870.]

add. proof Joshua James L. Edwards Esq. Pardon Office

Sir 27 March 1839
The enclosed evidence is to be filed in Joshua Fry's Declaration for a Pension - Mr. Fry lives in Ky, and sent on his application a few weeks ago, which was filed in the office by myself -
R.P. Kelso

Hon. R. P. Letcher H. R.

And the said Courts do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and since as his estate. And the court for their certificate, that it appears to them that Daniel O'Bannon and Kenneth McLeary who have signed the preceding certificate are reliable in the County of Garrard and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
State of Kentucky
Garrard County Feb 6
I James Hatcher clerk of the Court of Garrard County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Courts in the matter of the application of Joshua Fry for a pension in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 21 st day of January 1833. and 41 st year of the Common Era.
James Hatcher Clee

The affidavit of Garland Carr of the County of Albemarle State of Virginia, of lawful age made at the request of Mr. Joshua Fry of the State of Kentucky.
This affiant being first sworn saith: That in consequence of the lapse of fifty odd years and the age of this affiant, (his memory never very tenacious) what he has to say is necessarily faintly remembered so far as minute particulars are concerned: but he well recollects that soon after the traitor Arnold invaded the State of Virginia this affiant, and several other young gentlemen volunteered their services to raise a Troop of Cavalry to be commanded by Capt. W m O. Callis. that they rendezvoused at Richmond where they were organized & when they were joined by Joshua Fry & his brother W m A. Fry. That the Troop entered into the service of the State of Virginia, as well as this affiant recollects, early in the month of January 1781. This affiant cannot charge his memory as to the precise time of the continuance of the Troop in service, as he left it on furlough some time before it was discharged; which discharge he thinks took place about the last of April of the same year; so that the term of its service may have been between three & four months. To further this affiant saith not.
Garland Carr.
Albemarle County set:
This day personally appeared before me Frank Carr a justice of the peace for said County, Garland Carr and made oath that the above affidavit contains the truth to best of his recollection. Given under my hand this 4 th January 1833.
Frank Carr (seal)

Washington 18 th February 1833.
I certify that Frank Carr, is a justice of the Peace for the County of Albemarle Va Wm F Gordon
I know Garland Carr, whose name is to the within Paper, an old & most respectable inhabitant of the County & Albemarle . His word entitled to entire credence on any subject.
Wm F Gordon

Nashville Tenn Nov 7 th 1901
Revenue Office. Washington D. C.
Please look upon the records of your Office and give me all the information you can find of the services. Colonel Abraham Byrd (or Bird) (Some of the family spell the name one way and some another) (They are all the same.) and Captain Abraham Byrd (The son) they were born in Va. I think Shenandoah Co. and served in the Rev War. Also Gen Joshua Fry Va and William Crawford! of Augusta Co. Va. I am exceedingly anxious to know their War Records. Do please let me know

What you have of these records if any part is attached let me know. And you will, truly favor Yours. Great respect
Mr. Charles F. Hall # 1512 Mc Garoch St Nashville Tennessee
21

Rev. S. S.
Butte June 20.19
U.S. Pension Bureau:- Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I understand that Joshua Fry and Jacob Miller of Virginia served in the Revolutionary War and would like to have any data you have in regard to them also any data you have of Thomas Griffith born in Pennsylvania.
I am trying to get my genealogy and this information.

will help me.
Thanking you in advance
Yours respectfully
Mrs. Flora B. Steele
220 N. Clark St.
Butte Montana.

cash - $1.00
Bureau of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly give me copy of application for pension made by John Trimble who served in the Revolution from Virginia and died in Kentucky in 1842 - Also copy of appli- cation made by Joshua Fry served in Virginia, died in Kentucky 1839

these were my Revolutionary ancestors - (My mother a Trimble, my father a Fry) I am enclosing $1.00 and shall expect a reply at your earliest convenience.
Yours Respectfully.
Mrs. H. D. Clay.
311 East 7 th St.
Ontario, Calif.

A. C. SCHIFFLER 1ST DIST. WEST VIRGINIA
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
HOME ADDRESS: WHEELING, W. VA.
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WASHINGTON, D. C.
October 7, 1939
Mr. Adelbert D. Hiller Executive Assistant to the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs Veterans' Administration Washington, D. C
Dear Sir:
At the suggestion of The Adjutant General of the Army, I am writing to ask that you cause your records to be searched for information pertaining to Joshua Fry, said to have served as an officer in the Continental Army under George Washington.
The records show that one Joshua Fry served in the Revolutionary War as a sergeant in a company designated at various times as Captain Benjamin Farnum's and Captain Stephen Abbot's Company, 15th Massachusetts Regiment, commanded by Colonel Benjamin Tupper. He was appointed February 20, 1777, for three years, and was discharged February 20, 1780.
It was the thought of The Adjutant General that if a pension was ever applied for in the case of this soldier that your office would have data relative to his death and burial, as well as the date of his birth.
Any information sent me on this subject will be more than appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
A. C. Schiffler A. C. Schiffler, M. C

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Joshua Fry a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Summer Fall 1779 1 mo. 10 d. Pvt. William Nelson Thomas Marshall Pa.   Jan'y 1781 Apr. 1781 William O'Callahan   Sept. 1781 1 mo. Pt. Lieut. Benjamin Harris Walt Richardson  
Battles engaged in, Siege of York.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Albemarle County, Va.
Date of application for pension, Jan'y 21 1833. His ch. was al
Residence at date of application, Guards County, Ky.
Age at date of application, 69 years.
Remarks: He did not state whether he had a wife or children. Soldier was a student at William & Mary College in Williamsburg, Va. when he first enlisted.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

February 12, 1931
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section EEL
Mrs. W.D.Clay 311 East "F" Street Ontario, California
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.37947, that Joshua Fry, while a student at William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia, "from Albemarle County, Virginia," volunteered in the summer or fall of 1779, when the British fleet lay in Hampton Roads, and served about three weeks as a private in Captain William Nelson's Company, Colonel Thomas Marshall's Virginia Regiment.
He again volunteered at the time of Arnold's invasion of Virginia, served three months in Captain William O. Callis' Virginia Company and was discharged in April, 1781. as per letter
He enlisted early in September, 1781, served as a private in Captain Benjamin Harris' Company, Colonel Holt Richardson's Virginia Regiment, was promoted to Lieutenant, and served in that capacity at the siege of Yorktown, length of this service two months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 21, 1833, at which time he was aged seventy-three years and resided in Garrard County, Kentucky.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
No charge is made for this service. The amount of your remittance, $1.00, will be refunded in due time.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.
Date of death not on KB His brother Wm A. Fry reward with him Wm A. Fry's pen cl. S 30425-